Real Madrid vs. Sporting Gijon – La Liga Review (Part 2)
Even though Sporting Gijon had the best opportunity to find the back of the net during the first half, Real Madrid was the ones with the most shots on target. The last opportunity of the first half was also created by the Los Blancos.
It was the German midfielder, Mesut Ozil, who was the architect during the move. The German star ran past two Sporting defenders on the left flank and crossed the ball inside the 18 yard box. The German midfielder, Sami Khedira, was at the other end of the
cross but his headed effort failed to find the target.
The first half ended and Real Madrid looked to be dominating it. Sporting Gijon was playing ‘all defense’, while Jose Mourinho’s men had a good share of the possession along with shots on goal. Despite the fact that Real Madrid had numerous shots on goal,
Sporting Gijon created the best opportunity to find the back of the net.
As the second half started at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid made no changes in terms of players and their style of play. The Los Blancos were frustrated by the over-defensive approach of Sporting Gijon.
The first opportunity of the second half came from Angel Di Maria. The Argentinean star tried his luck from long way out but couldn’t find the target. Minutes later another great opportunity came for Real Madrid when Esteban Granero tried his luck from long
range. Granero’s shot seemed to be finding the target but Juan Pablo Hernandez was on his toes to deny him the goal scoring opportunity.
With no progress being made by the Los Blancos, Jose Mourinho tried to change things around. The Portuguese coach brought on the Argentinean striker Gonzalo Higuain. For the first one hour of the game, Real Madrid had been trying to find the back of the
net but they simply couldn’t, mainly because they couldn’t convert their chances.
With the introduction of Gonzalo Higuain, a difference was made. The Argentinean striker came on and after a few minutes he had his first shot on goal. Mesut Ozil was the architect in the midfield yet again. The German star dribbled past two Sporting Gijon
players and gave the ball to the on-rushing Angel Di Maria. The two Argentineans combined well as Di Maria laid down a perfect through ball for Gonzalo Higuain on the right hand side of the goal. The Argentinean simply blasted the ball towards the goal but
Juan Pablo Hernandez was able to save the shot to prevent Madrid from equalizing.
Thereafter, Madrid was given a number of opportunities but the strikers failed to convert them. Emanuel Adebayor had a wonderful opportunity to find the back of the net as Mesut Ozil delivered another inch perfect cross for the former Manchester City striker.
The German midfielder received a through ball from his fellow German midfielder Sami Khedira. Ozil then whipped a cross which found Emanuel Adebayor inside the 18 yard box. Adebayor tried to head the ball towards the goal but his headed effort couldn’t find
the back of the net.
The former Manchester City striker was definitely not working out for Real Madrid who was trying their luck on goal throughout the match. There was not a single attempt on goal made by Sporting Gijon for the first seventy eight minutes of the game.